I am a single mom on fixed income does anybody have ideas or resources on being frugal?

Answer 1

A budget is the best tool to manage your finances. You can look at all of your expenses in one glance. You can spot areas that you might can shave some costs off so the extra $$ can go to savings or debt reduction.

I use one I created in Excel. If you'd like a copy, I'm more than willing to email it to you.

Answer 2

I am a single mom too, and have found that the real key to be frugal and managing my money - is managing myself.

Money Management = Self Discipline.

While it's fun to have all the latest clothes, etc., it's not necessary. I don't buy new clothes unless it's an absolute neccessity due to too much wear/tear on my current clothes. For my daughter, since she's still growing, I try to purchase items that are interchangeable so that we can get several different looks/styles out of fewer items.

Groceries, coupons will actually help cut down on your grocery list - BUT, don't use coupons to buy a product you normally wouldn't eat/use anyway - because it will most likely just end up sitting in the cabinet unused. Also, when cooking meals like dinner, I try to make things that can be used in different ways as leftovers - you can buy a family size package of ground meat and make sloppy joes on Monday. On Tuesday, have hotdogs topped with sloppy joe mix. Or after dinner on Mon. freeze the sloppy joe meat, and pull it out on the weekend, add to a jar of spaghetti sauce and have a big spaghetti dinner. Often if you buy your meat in larger quanitities, you can get a better price, just make sure you use the meat creatively so none of it gets wasted.

Take your lunch to work. If you buy lunch out, say even just 3 days a week at around $7 per lunch (average for fast food) that's $21 per week - which comes to $84 per month! That covers a utility bill right there! If you eat out for lunch more often than this, the amount is even more. Cook, take leftovers for lunch, and make good use of the food items you buy so you don't waste any. Wasting food is like burning money.

Also, control you heat/ac. Don't keep the house all toasty warm, just warm enough - you and the kids wear warmer clothes and slippers or warm socks when at home. In the summer, don't cool too drasticly, and wear light comfy clothes to stay cool.

There are a million and one things that will help. Basically think about every dollar you spend BEFORE you spend it, decide: Is this absolutely neccessary, or can we make do without it for a while?

Also, if you have cable tv - consider dropping it. Much of what's on it is crap anyway. I stay up to date with the news via the computer, and we have blockbuster online movie rental - for just $17 per month we get about 8 movies per week - much less than a $60 or higher cable bill - plus we always get to watch what we want.

It's ok to make just because purchases every now and then, but for the most part - stick to necessities. Good luck to you!

Answer 3

Buy in bulk when on sale.

Join a warehouse club for large savings on stuff you use everyday (soap, lotion, toilet paper, paper towels, coffee, milk, shampoo, ziplocs, butter, etc.)

Turn your thermostat down 2 degrees in the winter, and up 2 degrees in the summer. Also, either turn down your heating/cooling when you leave or when you are sleeping.

Walk when possible.

Shop at discount stores (Walmart, TJ Maxx, Burlington Coat factory). Buy "gently used" when possible (resale shops, Goodwill/Salvation Army, garage sales).

Keep a log of every penny you spend for a week or so, go over it and see where you are wasting your money (buy coffee/lunch everyday, excessive trips in the car, etc.)

And yes, a budget can help you see where your money is going, then you can evaluate what services you can live without and/or shop for a better price.

Good luck

Answer 4

Coupons. And watch for them on eBay. A Sunday paper can cost you almost $2 in most places, But I can get an envelope full of already clipped coupons, over 100 usually, for the same price. Check to see if you have a store that doubles coupons. Usually they will double up to fifty cents.

Answer 5

I try not to use the dryer. I use a clothes line either indoors or out.
It save a few dollars on my gas bill.
I Cr 13;8a

Answer 6

Do your grocery shopping at cheap grocery stores (where I live we have Aldis and Save A Lot) If you need stuff cheak out your local www.freecycle.org group.

Answer 7

Get child support! If you have that already, try looking for internet jobs. You can be a customer service rep at home.

Answer 8

Not sure what your bills are, but you can find cheap rates on Internet, long distance and cellular plans at the link below.

Answer 9

Dumpster diving, clipping coupons, sell the car and ride a bicycle.

Answer 10

Here's a list of excellent suggestions below: